Renting any property comes with a wide range of difficulties
and potential pitfalls. Whether you're a first-time landlord or expanding your property
portfolio, you must understand these unique challenges to keep your tenants
happy and your properties profitable. Residential properties serviced by septic
tanks may seem especially difficult to manage if you are unfamiliar with septic
tank systems.
Successfully managing a property with a septic tank requires
a bit of knowledge and potentially more attention to routine maintenance
scheduling, but it's far from an impossible task. This article will provide you
with the tools and tips you need to make sure that your septic tank properties
don't become an unexpected thorn in your side.
Understand Your Responsibilities
As a landlord in California, you must abide by the
"Implied Warranty of Habitability." In non-legal terms, this means
you must provide your tenants with a property that provides the essentials
required for human habitation. Proper, functional plumbing falls within these
essentials, and that means that the septic system and any issues that arise
with it are your responsibility as a landlord.
In practice, this means that you have a legal obligation to
service septic systems on your properties regularly. Failing to inspect and
pump septic tanks can lead to a variety of problems, and even threaten the
health of your tenants. Under these conditions, your tenants may able to
withhold rent or seek other legal remedies against you.
While these responsibilities may seem intimidating, renting
out a property with a septic tank doesn't need to be a burden. Septic systems
require routine inspections and cleanings about once every three years.
Meticulous adherence to this schedule can potentially allow your septic system
to operate without trouble for decades.
Educate Your Tenants
Many septic problems are the result of improper usage.
Flushing inappropriate items into a septic tank can cause clogs or negatively
impact the tank fauna. Over time, these problems can damage septic tanks, lead
to backups, or force more frequent tank pumping. If your tenants don't use the
system properly, then you may face significantly higher maintenance costs.
While California does not require you to pay for damage
caused by tenants, you may find it a challenge to prove that septic issues are
the fault of any individual tenant. The best way to avoid higher maintenance
costs is through proper education. Always ensure that your tenants are familiar
with the appropriate use of the septic system so that they do not flush
inappropriate items down their drains.
In addition to educating your tenants on usage, you can
explain common symptoms of septic problems. Bad smells, gurgling drains, or wet
spots on the lawn may all be early warning signs. If your tenants recognize
these problems early enough, then you may be able to address the issue by
pumping your tank before you face costly repairs.
Maintain the System
Ultimately, keeping your tenants happy and avoiding
expensive repairs is all about proper maintenance. If you rent out a
single-family home, then sticking to a 3-5 year pumping schedule will usually
be sufficient. When you have the tank pumped, be sure to also schedule an
inspection. Discuss the results of this review with your septic tank cleaner to
understand if you need to increase your pumping frequency.
Note that you should take extra care if you are renting out
a single-family home that's been converted for multiple occupancies. In these
cases, the septic system may not be able to handle the waste volume of more
than one family. To avoid problems, increase your pump tanking frequency and
discuss the situation with an expert. You may also need to consider upgrading
the septic system capacity in the future.
Pete's Outflow Technicians can help you to manage the septic
systems on your rental properties. Give us a call
to schedule
your tank cleaning and inspection today!
